Trash removal system

ABSTRACT

A trash removal system is configured to enable a diver to remove debris from water. The trash removal system comprises a line mechanically coupled to a boat and extending downward in the water. Hooks are mechanically coupled to the line and configured to receive the debris from the diver. Shelf nets are mechanically coupled to the line and configured to receive debris from the diver. The diver can affix debris to the hooks or insert debris into the shelf nets that can be drawn to the boat with a crank removing the debris from the water.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to provisional patent application U.S.Ser. No. 61/807,617 filed on Apr. 2, 2013, the entire contents of whichis herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments herein relate generally to devices that can be used toremove debris from the ocean.

Since 2010, oceanic research has determined that plastic debris in theocean is 2.5 to 27 times greater than previously estimated due tosubsurface plastic debris particularly during high wind events. Prior toembodiments of the disclosed invention, removing plastic debris from thevarious depths in the ocean escaped any comprehensive solution at all.Rather, mere dredge nets tended to needlessy harm wildlife. Embodimentsof the present invention solve this problem.

SUMMARY

A trash removal system is configured to enable a diver to remove debrisfrom water. The trash removal system comprises a line mechanicallycoupled to a boat and extending downward in the water. Hooks aremechanically coupled to the line and configured to receive the debrisfrom the diver. Shelf nets are mechanically coupled to the line andconfigured to receive debris from the diver. The diver can affix debristo the hooks or insert debris into the shelf nets that can be drawn tothe boat with a crank removing the debris from the water.

In some embodiments, the boat is mechanically coupled to an air pumpthat emits air bubbles into the trash removal system. This assists thediver in affixing debris to the hooks or inserting debris into the shelfnets.

In some embodiments, the shelf net includes a first shelf net sectiondetachably coupled to a second shelf net section. The first shelf netsection comprises a plurality of cavities and is mechanically coupled toa pin. The second shelf net section comprises a plurality of extensionmembers and is mechanically coupled to clasp. The diver can insert thedebris into the shelf net, align the plurality of cavities with theplurality of extension members and then mechanically couple the pin tothe clasp to close the shelf net and store the debris.

In some embodiments, a door is attaché to the shelf net in order toallow access to the shelf net. This can be useful in rough water thatmay shake other shelf net designs open.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is madebelow with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numeralsrepresent corresponding parts of the figures.

FIG. 1 is a side schematic overview of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2A is a detail schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B is a detail schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2C is a detail schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2D is a detail schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3A is a detail schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3B is a detail schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3C is a detail schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3D is a detail schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4A is a detail schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4B is a detail schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4C is a detail schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4D is a detail schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

By way of example, and referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of submarinetrash removal system 10 comprises a plurality of hooks 12 mechanicallycoupled to line 14. Line 14 can be attached to boat B. In someembodiments, line 14 extends beneath a waterline. Hooks 12 generallytend to be buoyant are designed as either single hooks—a single eye,shank and point; double hooks—a single eye merged with two shanks andpoints; or triple—a single eye merged with three shanks and three evenlyspaced points. Line 14 is further mechanically coupled to shelf net 16which can be created in a variety of ways as shown in FIGS. 2A through4D below.

Trash removal system 10 can be enhanced in some embodiments by aircompressor 20 which distributes air bubbles 22 throughout trash removalsystem 10. Air compressor 20 is connected to boat B with air and powerlines 24. The presence of air bubbles 22 enables divers D to insertdebris T into shelf nets 16 or onto hooks 12 with greater ease than inthe absence of air bubbles 22. Debris T can then be carried to boat byturning hand crank 34 to recall trash removal system 10 as shown in moredetail in FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D show an alternate embodiment of shelf net 160. Afirst shelf net section is mechanically coupled to pin 130 and a secondshelf net section is mechanically coupled to clasp 126. This enablesdiver D to insert debris T into shelf net 160 and then mechanicallycouple pin 130 to clasp 126 to close shelf net 160 in order to removeshelf net 160 from the water without debris T falling out. Only one endof the first shelf net section needs to be connected to the second shelfnet section as water pressure will ensure that debris T does not fallout of shelf net 160 in transit.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D show an alternate embodiment of shelf net 260. Afirst shelf net section is mechanically coupled to pin 230 and a secondshelf net section is mechanically coupled to clasp 226. This enablesdiver D to insert debris T into shelf net 260 and then mechanicallycouple pin 230 to clasp 226 to close shelf net 260 in order to removeshelf net 228 from the water without debris T falling out. In thisembodiment, the first shelf net section comprises a plurality ofcavities and the second shelf net section comprises a plurality ofextension members. The extension members fit into the cavities to assistpin 230 and clasp 226 from coming apart in rough water or when there arehigh speed winds.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D show an alternate embodiment of shelf net 360.Here, shelf net 360 is mechanically coupled to a plurality of doors 332,though in some embodiments there may be as few as one door or as many assix doors. This construction allows diver D to insert debris T intoshelf net 360 by opening and closing door 332 as needed. Door 332 can belatched or locked in any known manner including utilizing a pin andlatch as noted above.

FIG. 5 show a theory of how shelf 440 can be used to transportequipment, tubes, emergency supplies to diver D without the need fordiver D to return to boat B. Hand crank 434 is mechanically coupled topulley 438. Pulley 438 is mechanically coupled to line 414. Line 414 ismechanically coupled to reflectors 450 which can be used to reflectlight so that diver D can see shelf 440 and can be used to receive line14 as hand crank 34 is turned.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show a few theories of how to use hand crank 34. Handcrank 34 is mechanically coupled to pulley 38. Pulley 38 is mechanicallycoupled to line 14 and can be used to receive line 14 as hand crank 34is turned. Line 14 can be attached to reflectors 50 to be easily seenunder water. Line 14 can be mechanically coupled shelf net 16 or trashremoval system 10. Any kind of crank, such a motor driven crank, can beeffective in some embodiments.

In other embodiments trash removal system 10 can be used to catch fish,to do this, hooks 12 can be covered with bait and bait fish can beplaced inside shelf net 16. Shelf 434 can be used to transport bait downto divers D to bait hooks 12.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous designconfigurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of theinventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations andarrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of theinvention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather thannarrowed by the embodiments described above.

What is claimed is:
 1. A trash removal system, configured to enable adiver to remove debris from water; the trash removal system comprising:a line mechanically coupled to a boat and extending downward in thewater; hooks mechanically coupled to the line and configured to receivethe debris from the diver; shelf nets mechanically coupled to the lineand configured to receive debris from the diver; wherein the diver canaffix debris to the hooks or insert debris into the shelf nets which canbe drawn to the boat with a crank removing the debris from the water. 2.The trash removal system of claim 1, wherein the boat is mechanicallycoupled to an air pump that emits air bubbles into the trash removalsystem assisting the diver in affixing debris to the hooks or insertingdebris into the shelf nets.
 3. The trash removal system of claim 1,wherein the shelf net further comprises: a first shelf net sectiondetachably coupled to a second shelf net section; the first shelf netsection mechanically coupled to a pin; and the second shelf net sectionmechanically coupled to a clasp; wherein the diver can insert the debrisinto the shelf net and then mechanically couple the pin to the clasp toclose the shelf net and store the debris.
 4. The trash removal system ofclaim 1, wherein the shelf net further comprises: a first shelf netsection detachably coupled to a second shelf net section; the firstshelf net section comprises a plurality of cavities and is mechanicallycoupled to a pin; and the second shelf net section comprises a pluralityof extension members and is mechanically coupled to clasp; wherein thediver can insert the debris into the shelf net, align the plurality ofcavities with the plurality of extension members and then mechanicallycouple the pin to the clasp to close the shelf net and store the debris.5. The trash removal system of claim 1, wherein the shelf net furthercomprises a door which can be used to access the shelf net.
 6. A processfor removing debris from a body of water prevents harm to marine life byspecifically targeting debris for removal, the process comprising:lowering a trash removal system into the water; wherein the trashremoval system comprises hooks and shelf nets attached to a line;snaring the debris with the hooks; inserting the debris into the shelfnets; and raising the trash removal system from the water thus removingthe debris with the debris removal system.
 7. The process of claim 6,further comprising: closing the shelf nets; wherein the shelf netfurther comprises a first shelf net section detachably coupled to asecond shelf net section and is closed by linking the first shelf netsection to the second shelf net section.
 8. The process of claim 6,further comprising: lowering an pump into the trash removal system;providing air bubbles to the trash removal system with the air pump;wherein the air bubbles facilitate moving the debris.